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The Laws of the Land
Students examine state quarters and discuss how national and state agencies worked together to create them. They examine state laws and national laws to see how they differ. They explore the process for making a law.
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The Government Connection to Healthy Citizens
High schoolers describe the objectives of the Department of Health and Human Services. They list the agencies within the Department that deal with health issues in America. Students explain the role of government in skin cancer prevention.
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A "Clear and Present Danger"
Pupils define what is meant by clear and present danger. For this First Amendment lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Sedition Act of 1798. Pupils consider the constitutionality...
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The Birth of a City
Third graders understand the role of rules and laws in our daily lives. They research the basic structure of the United States government. They participate in a simulated City Council meeting.
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Local Government
Fourth graders research services and responsibilities of local government. They use cameras to take pictures of local government in action and create posters with them.
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Wealth and Power: United States v. Microsoft
Students explore wealth and influence in the United States. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the United States v. Microsoft case. Students...
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What's in the Water?
Learners examine the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. Using the text, they identify examples of how the federal and state governments implement public policy. They discuss how citizens can make sure that all levels of government...
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Lesson on Federalism
Eleventh graders study Federalism and delegated, reserved, and concurrent powers. They participate in a simulation in which they role-play Federalists and Anti-federalists debating which powers should be categorized as delegated,...
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The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Governments
Students explain the basic positions of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. They chart the differences and similarities between state and federal governments. They write a persuasive essay in response to an open-ended question.
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4-H Citizenship Activity Page
In order to understand how our government works, students need to delve into the intricacies at both the local and federal level. Using this 20 question activity learners explore how government affects their daily life.
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We the People
Students create a map illustrating the three branches of goverment. They identify the branches of government and the shared or exclusive powers of each. Students use mapping as a prewriting stategy. They discuss our national...
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Market Structure and Competition
Students explore the role of government in the economy market. In this economics lesson, students analyze the decision making and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits and public awareness of what they are trying to...
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The Constitution (1781–1815)
In this online interactive history activity, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about the U.S. Constitution. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive activity.
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Faith-Based Initiatives
Students consider the effectiveness of faith-based initiatives. In this religion and ethics lesson, students research issues relative to the separation of church and state. Students investigate the Bush faith-based initiative proposal...
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Building Suburbia: Highways and Housing in Postwar America
Students determine how suburbs changed America. For this post World War II lesson, students complete research projects that require them to examine the growth of suburbs in the 1950's and 1960's. Students reveal how government policies,...
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California: Land and People
Fourth graders research information about some of California indigenous tribes to find out as much as possible about the first people found in the four regions of California. They research the history of a selected tribe and their...
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Democratic Village Elections in China: Comparing Governments of China and the United States
High schoolers explore democratic practices in China. In this global studies lesson, students compare and contrast democratic values of the Chinese government with the American government. High schoolers read provided articles and...
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FDR and the Lend-Lease Act
Students analyze primary source documents and photographs to analyze the implications of the Lend-Lease Program. For this research lesson plan, students read and discuss letters and speeches related to the Lend-Lease Act, evaluate FDR's...
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The Constitution: the Head of State
Students participate in a constitutional convention to debate whether Australia should become a republic. They form small groups to represent various sides of the debate such as parliamentary republicanism, popular republicanism and...
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The First American Party System: Events, Issues, and Positions
Students examine and discuss the philosophical differences that arose during the Constitutional Convention and how these differences played a role in the formation of the first political parties.
Administrative Office of the US Courts
US v. Alvarez
Is it illegal to lie about military service? Discuss the ways the First Amendment affects the Stolen Valor Act with a lesson that focuses on the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Alvarez. As high schoolers learn more about the history of the...
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The Called Themselves the K.K.K.; The Birth of an American Terrorist Group
How did Ku Klux Klan develop and flourish in the US? How did the government respond to acts of terrorism conducted by the KKK following the Civil War? How does the government respond to acts of terrorism today? This resource...
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Tuning Out Telemarketers
Students research laws for telemarketers in their state, examine whether there are effective laws in other states, explore concept of national telemarketing legislation, and write news features about telemarketers and impact they have in...
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Hopeful Eyes on Southern Skies
The Times covered a drought in 2011, which affected producers, consumers, and sellers. The class gets informed about climate and the economics of agriculture as the read this article and answer each of the 11 comprehension questions. A...